Video game controller with illuminated cable

ABSTRACT

A light source is provided to illuminate a cable connecting a video game controller to a game console. A low power consuming LED in light communication with a side glowing fiber optic cable may be employed and integrated into the communication bundle extending between the controller and console. Alternately LED lights may be disposed at discrete points along the cable. A shield may also be disposed between the light cable and communication bundle to inhibit interference. The entire bundle is preferably wrapped in a clear or translucent material to allow light to emanate from the cable.

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.10/252,823 filed on Sep. 24, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to video game controllers and morespecifically to a controller with an illuminated cable.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computer video games are well known in the art. Such devices range fromsmall hand held all-in-one units, to larger stand-alone units whichinteract with stand alone controllers and stand alone video displaydevices. Small hand held devices are very portable. However, thegraphics and sophistication game play are substantially inferior tostand alone units due limited processing power and associatedperipherals. For more sophisticated play, stand alone computer unitsprovide tremendous processing power and work with associated peripheraldevices, such as a remote controller and television display in anattempt to bring the player a more dramatic gaming experience to that ofhand held devices. One such stand-alone device is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,422,943 which is hereby incorporated by reference. These devicesare widely available on the market and are well known in the art. FIG. 1depicts such a conventional stand-alone computer video gaming device. Acentral stand-alone console contains all the essential processingcomponents to run a computer game. A controller is connected to theconsole, via a cable, to communicate operation control commands from auser. A display is connected to the gamming deice to display interactivevideo gaming images.

The use of a cable between the controller and console poses an obstacleand potential safety hazard. The cable must extend from the console tothe controller during game play. Furthermore, even when game play hasbeen suspended, these cables often remain exposed which may trip aperson passing by. Furthermore, as video games are often played in darkenvironments to heighten intimacy with the game, the communicationscables are very difficult to see. This results not only in a safetyhazards to persons who happen by, but a person who may trip or otherwiseget caught up in the cable may cause the console unit to lodge from itssupport and knock over peripheral and other equipment usually foundaround such game consoles. This problem is further compounded when morethan one controllers are connected to the game console.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a computer game controller with anilluminated cable. In one embodiment, a light source is provided in thecontroller such as a low power consuming LED in light communication witha side glowing fiber optic cable. The side glowing fiber optic cable isintegrated into the communication bundle extending between thecontroller and console. The fiber optic cable may simply run along anoutside of the conventional communication bundles within a clear coverthus visibly exposing the fiber optic cable. In an alternate embodimenta pair of low voltage wires may run along the cable with LED lightsspaced at discrete points along the cable. A shield may be disposedbetween the light cable and communication bundle to inhibitinterference. The entire bundle is then wrapped in a clear ortranslucent material to allow light to emanate from the cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a stand-alone video game arrangement accordingto the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a controller with integrated video displaydevice according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is a partial sectional view along a length of the cable of FIG.2.

FIG. 3 b is a cross sectional view taken along lines 3 b-3 b of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 3 c is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate embodimentof the invention shown in FIG. 3 b.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a hybrid LED fiber optic cableassembly of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic section view of a portion of the cable bundleaccording to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 depicts a controller 1 of the present invention connected to acomputer gaming system 50. The controller 1 includes a hand held bodywith operation members 5 or control buttons logistically placed formanipulation by a user to transmit operation commands to the computerwhen playing a particular video game. Such arrangements are well knownin the art. The communication cable 7 includes an illumination device toilluminate the cable to increase the visibility of the cable as well asproviding illuminated ornamentation. Several embodiments may be employedto illuminate the cable as will now be described.

FIG. 3 a depicts a partial segment of the communication cable 7 having asingle side glow fiber optic cable 7 a running along side of aconventional cable bundle 7 b for transmitting operation commands to thegame console 50. A light source (later described) is simply connected tothe fiber optic cable 7 a to introduce light through the cable fortransmission throughout the length thereof. The fiber optic cable 7 apreferably runs along the entire length of the conventional bundle 7 bto the console. A protective sheathing 7 c is preferably disposed aboutthe conventional bundle 7 b and fiber optic cable 7 a. The protectiveouter sheath 7 c is made of light transmitting material such as a clearor translucent plastic or polyvinyl material. FIG. 3 b shows a crosssection of the cable 7. The inner cable 7 b is simply the communicationcable 7 b often associated with a conventional video game controller.The cable 7 b carries operational command signals to and from thecontroller to facilitate interactive play of the video game. The sideglow fiber optic cable 7 a is disposed adjacent the communication cable7 b and run substantially along the entire length thereof. Theprotective sheath 7 c simply covers both the communication cable 7 b andfiber optic cable 7 a to form a single illuminated bundle 7 between thecontroller and computer game console 50. The sheathing 7 c may be madeof a clear plastic, polyvinyl, or other flexible material to permitdirect visibility of the fiber optic cable 7 a or may be translucent togive off a softer glow. The sheathing 7 c may also be tinted variouscolors for greater ornamental effect.

It is to be understood that side glow fiber optic cables are known inthe art. They are often used to create ornamental signs or otherilluminated art. Such off the shelf side glow fiber optic cables may beemployed where they are simply connected to an adequate light source.Off course, conventional data communications fiber optic cables may alsobe employed. While data communication cable are designed to minimizeradial leakage, they may be simply altered by changing the angle ofincidence of the light introduced to the cable as well as removal of theexterminator cladding to promote sufficient radial leakage to allow thecable to illuminate radially. In one embodiment, the exterior claddingmay be selectively removed from a conventional data cable to give off adesired pattern of light. The cable may also be notched at discreteintervals, etc. Endless combinations exist to create differentornamental illumination. However, the fundamental function of theilluminated controller cable 7 of the present invention is to promotevisibility. Because the illuminated cable is primarily intended toenhance visibility rather than to illuminate another device, there is noneed to give off a tremendous amount of light. All that is necessary isthat sufficient light emanates to enhance visibility of the cablewhether in normal lighting conditions or in dark conditions. The lightsource thus need not be very powerful and can be supplied by a singleLED light drawing very little voltage and very little current.

State of the art stand alone computer gaming platforms also transmit lowDC voltage across the communication bundle 7 b to power circuitry withinthe controller, power LED lights in operations members, power vibrationdevices, etc. Such systems are known to supply a three volt source overthe communication cable. (However, other voltage levels may certainly beutilized.) Such a voltage source may be utilized to illuminate lowvoltage LEDs in order to illuminate the side glow cable which will nowbe described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic representation of a light source andprimitive circuitry. Preferably a low DC voltage LED 11 is disposedwithin a very small light tight chamber 13. One end of the fiber opticcable 7 a is simply disposed within the chamber 13. When the LED 11 isilluminated, light is simply transmitted through the cable 7 a givingoff light along its entire length. (It is to be understood that off theshelve hybrid LED fiber optic cables exist within the market and may beemployed to simplify manufacture. Such a hybrid LED fiber optic cablesneed only be arranged within the hand held unit with the fiber opticcable exiting to run along the communication cable.) The LED 11 issimply powered by a low voltage source 15 for example as supplied by thegaming system. However, the present invention alternately contemplatesproviding an additional independent power source to drive theilluminating light when higher intensity lighting is desired or tosupplement or replace the voltage source supplied by the gaming console50. In such an instance, one or more standard double AA batteries may besimply disposed within the hand held unit and connected to the LED 11.Of course other batteries of different size and voltage may be employed.The LED 11 need only be selected to match the voltage source whether itis supplied from the gaming console or independent source such as abattery. A switch 17 may also be employed to selectively activate theilluminated cable which is particularly desirable when employing anindependent battery source. It is to be understood that the particularwiring of the LED light source and configuration within the hand heldunit is well within the knowledge of one or ordinary skill in the artand therefore will not be elaborated. Only very basic wiring is neededto simply supply the proper voltage to the LED 11.

Alternately, a plurality of fiber optic side glow cables 7 a may runalong the length of the communication cable 7 b as shown in FIG. 3 c.The fiber optic cables 7 a can either run in a parallel longitudinaldirection or may cross over each other in a helical braided fashion togive a particular ornamental illumination. Each fiber optic cable 7 acan either be illuminated by a common light source such as a single LED,or by a separate LED light for each cable. The color of the LED lightsource, fiber optic cable and translucent sheath may be altered forvarious color effects.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a portion of the cable bundle 107according to another alternate embodiment of the present invention. ARope lighting string 107 a runs between the controller and the computergame console along with the communication cable 107 b disposed therewithin. Rope lighting strings include an outer light transmittingsheathing with LED lights 108 disposed at discrete locations along itslength. A wire is run along (or within) the sheathing interconnectingthe LEDs 108 to a power supply or source within the hand held unit 1.Conventionally, such rope lighting strings incorporate circuitry tocovert a standard AC power supply to a low voltage power supply to powerthe LEDs 108. However, as the rope string will draw low DC voltagedirectly from gaming console, there is no need for alternate circuitry.The voltage drop of the LEDs 108 within the rope string simply needs tobe matched to the available voltage supplied from the game console.However, it is understood that voltage regulating circuitry, orindependent voltage source such as a battery, can be simply added withinthe confines of the hand held unit to control the voltage supply to theLEDs 108. Such is well within the knowledge of one or ordinary skill inthe art. For example, the lead wires running the length of the cable maysimply be connected to a switch and voltage source similar to theembodiment of FIG. 4. So long as the proper voltage is supplied to theLED string, the cable will be illuminated.

While the foregoing invention has been shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thosepossessing skill in the art that various changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, a blinking circuit may be incorporated to cause theilluminating source to blink in various successive patterns. In such aninstance the frequency response module that activates the vibrationmotor may be used to in turn control the voltage source of the lightedcable and blink or flicker when the vibration motor is activated. Acontrol circuit to blink or activate the light(s) may simply beincorporated into the circuitry shown in FIG. 4 and may be simplyactivated in response to the activation of the frequency responsemodule. (It is noted that vibration control and the use of such afrequency response module is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,857,986 and6,135,450 patents and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.)Furthermore, the communication cable can be modified at the junctionwith the computer game console to incorporate a connection with anindependent power source to power the lighting source. When implementinga fiber optic cable, the present invention contemplates and adapter orpass through device having the light source (LED or incandescent devicedisposed within the adapter). Such an arrangement allows for independentconnection to an AC power supply to facilitate a more power lighting andbrighter illumination of the cable. The adapter may also simply containresistant circuitry to provide current directly to the LED lights 108 ofthe light string of FIG. 5. A shield may also be disposed between thecommunication cable 7 b and the illuminating cable 7 a. Lastly, whilethe preferred embodiment employs a LED light source to reduce heat andpower consumption, it is to be understood that incandescent or otherlight generation illuminating sources may be employed.

1. An computer gaming system comprising: a dedicated computer gamingconsole having a controller port a voltage source, and a video gamecontroller, said controller including a hand held body having aplurality of operation members logistically positioned for manipulationby a user, an integrated light source; and at least one communicationcable operatively connected between said hand held device and saidcontroller port, said controller being provided to establish anelectrical connection between said console and said hand held unitthereby transmitting both operation commands to said computer gamingsystem in response to manipulation of said operation members by saiduser and providing said voltage source of said console to said hand heldunit, said communication cable having an illumination device powered bysaid voltage source of said gaming console and being directly connectedto said integrated light source and emanating from at least one pointalong said communication cable thereby enhancing visibility of saidcommunication cable, wherein said hand held body, integrated lightsource and at least one communication cable are all integrated within asingle self contained assembly.
 2. The video game controller accordingto claim 1, wherein said at least one communication cable includes: abundle to transmit said operation data from said controller to saidcomputer gaming system; a fiber optic side glow cable runningsubstantially along a length of said bundle and being in permanentcommunication with said light source; and a light transmitting sheathcovering said bundle and said fiber optic side glow cable.
 3. The videogame controller according to claim 2, further comprising an LED lightsource disposed within said hand held body and in light communicationwith said side glow fiber optic cable to supply light through said sideglow fiber optic cable.
 4. The video game controller according to claim3, wherein said LED light source is electrically connected to a voltagesource disposed within said hand held unit.
 5. The video game controlleraccording to claim 4, further comprising a switch electrically connectedto said LED light source to selectively connect said LED light to saidvoltage source.
 6. The video game controller according to claim 2,wherein said side glow fiber optic cable extends substantially along anentire length of said communication cable emitting light continuouslyalong a length there along.
 7. The video game controller according toclaim 2, wherein said light transmitting protective sheath istranslucent.
 8. The vide game controller according to claim 2, whereinsaid translucent sheath is clear.
 9. The video game controller accordingto claim 2, wherein said fiber optic side glow cable includes aplurality of fiber optic side glow cables.
 10. The video game controlleraccording to claim 2 further comprising, an interference shield disposedbetween said fiber optic side glow cable and said bundle.
 11. A videogame controller comprising: a hand held body having a plurality ofoperation members logistically positioned for manipulation by a user, alight source; at least one communication cable operatively connected tosaid hand held device and provided to transmit operation commands to acomputer gaming system in response to manipulation of said operationmembers by said user, said communication cable having at least anilluminating portion in direct and permanent communication with saidlight source and emitting light there from to enhance visibility of saidcommunication cable; wherein said hand held body, said light source, andsaid at least one communication cable being a single integratedassembly.
 12. The video game controller according to claim 11, whereinsaid light emitting portion extends along a substantial length of saidcommunication cable.
 13. The video game controller according to claim11, wherein said communication cable includes a plurality of LED lightsdisposed at discrete points along said light emitting portion and saidLED lights being electrically connected to a voltage source in said handheld unit.
 14. The video game controller according to claim 13, furthercomprising a switch electrically connected to said plurality of LEDlights to selectively connect said LED light to said voltage source. 15.The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein saidcommunication cable includes: a separate bundle to transmit saidoperation data from said controller to said computer gaming system; anda light transmitting sheath covering said bundle and said plurality ofLED lights.
 16. The video game controller according to claim 13, furthercomprising, an interference shield disposed between said fiber opticside glow cable and said bundle.